Sourav Ganguli: Cricket to Brand Ambassador of Bengal

Sourav Ganguli, Former Indian skipper, has told cricket good bye the last week. Buddhadev Bhattacharya, Chief Minister of West Bengal, is keen on involving him as brand ambassador of the state. Sourav too, after his retirement from international cricket, is interested in doing something for his province.

Looking into the popularity of Sourav Ganguli, it will be a win-win situation for the West Bengal Government and the Bengalis. His international image will certainly help Bengal. He has proven his ability in cricket and now is shifting his attention to a broader spectrum.

Ashok Bhattacharya, urban development minister of West Bengal, is in touch with Sourav Ganguli. The minister informed about Sourav’s concern over West Bengal. According to him Sourav Ganguli has expressed his worries about the pullout of Tata’s from Singur.

Sourav had been playing for Indian side since the 90’s. He has recorded a century with his name in his debut at the Lords. He is the most successful captain of India with twenty one test match victories to his credit. He has played more than 100 test matches and 312 one day internationals for India. Sourav, nicknamed as Dada, has scored more than 7000 runs in the test cricket with a highest score of 239 in an innings and more than 11000 in one day internationals with a highest knock of 183. Dada has made 22 centuries in the one day’s that is the highest made by any Indian batsman but Sachin Tendulkar. Sourav Ganguli has also set up a world record of century partnerships while opening with Sachin. They did it 25 times for India !

Indian cricket team was suffering badly when Sourav was appointed as captain of India. He took charge of the Indian cricket team and started working to uplift the same. He acted diffrently. Dada has givenIndian cricket an entirely different face. He has inspired the team and motivated his people for positive and aggressive cricket. He brought the youngsters into the face. He has patted and groomed many young cricketers who are now the bright stars of Indian cricket. His vision worked for Indian cricket and the team has emerged as world leaders in cricket.

Greig Chappel, former Aussies captain was appointed as Indian coach. Sourav Ganguly had recommended for him. But Greig had no gratitude for him and wanted dictatorship in Indian cricket. It was not possible with Sourabh as captain.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, Chairman, BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India), had lost the election, in the mean time. Newly elected Chairman Sharad Pawar was a politician and he wanted a captain from his own region. He supported Greig Chappel and the board had dropped Sourabh Ganguly from Indian side as an unfortunate event few years back.

However, he fought back against all odds. He remained hopeful during tough times. This very attitude makes Sourav special. He worked hard and did well in domestic cricket. Greig Chappel failed utterly. Ultimately Sourabh Ganguly had been brought back to Indian cricket team.

Besides playing cricket Dada is also running a cricket academy in Salt Lake, and a restaurant in Kolkata. He is working with a sports complex in Behala region of Kolkata. Indian team has paid its former captain tribute by defeating Australia, world No.1 in test cricket, in Nagpur test. India not only won the test but the series 2-0. Sourav’s team mates have given their former captain a farewell by winning the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Despite his retirement from international cricket, he will be playing in IPL T20 (Indian Premier League). He will lead Kolkata Knight Riders for two more years in twenty 20 cricket.

Thousands of his fans greeted him on his returning back to Kolkata, his home town, on 11^th of November, 2008.

Dona Ganguli, the lady, has expressed her joy as Sourav could spend some quality time with her. Sourav is also in a vacation mood and wants to spend some hassle free time with his wife Dona and daughter Sana who is now seven.